Please note: This workshop is by special invitation only
Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation
The Welder Wildlife Foundation Headquarters is located on the Welder Wildlife Refuge off HWY 77 approximately 10 miles northeast of Sinton, Texas. Most of the Headquarters complex was built in 1958. It consists of the main headquarters building, four residences, graduate student dormitory, visitors dormitory, and a rotunda that includes a dining area and complete kitchen.
From Sinton, Texas, take Hwy 77 north toward Woodsboro and Victoria. Depending on the exit you take leaving Sinton, after approximately 7–10 miles you will see a brown highway sign announcing the Rob & Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation.
Exit right off the highway immediately after the sign and proceed to the Foundation’s white stucco gate house.
If you cross the Aransas River Bridge you missed the exit by about 1.5 miles.
The Headquarters is located 2 miles from the main gate. Continue on the paved road without turning onto side roads until you cross a cattle guard. After you have crossed the cattle guard, you will see a sign directing you to the Headquarters.
You can also Google: "10429 Welder Wildlife"
Sinton, Texas 78387
After graduating from college in Biology, he took a position as the Minnesota "Research Co-coordinator for Scientific and Natural Areas" . After 3 years, he when back to school and became a Chiropractic Physician, moved to Vermont and has been in private practice since 1983. He owns and manages a 50 acre wood lot and spends as much time as possible outdoors.
Prior to forming his own company, Bob spent 30+ years in conservation where he worked for three state wildlife agencies, two conservation NGOs and a conservation-communications consulting firm.
Being an avid hunter and angler, Bob has a deep concern about passing on our hunting and fishing heritage on to future generations, and has focused much of his recent efforts on this task.
Some of his most recent projects include:
➢ Assisted The Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (CHASS) and the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) develop the National Hunting and Shooting Sports Action Plan that is being used as the framework to improve recruitment, retention and re-activation (R3) programs for hunting and the shooting sports.
➢ Assisted the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and the Aquatic resources Education Association (AREA) develop a strategic plan for angler recruitment, retention and re-activation programs.
➢ Developed Environmental Stewardship Plans for 17 outdoor shooting ranges operated by the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Bob can be reached at bobbyrne2018@gmail.com or 540-937-2139.
She has been a member of The Wildlife Society for over 30 years. Having been taught the value of service/giving back she served as: President of the Southwest Section of The Wildlife Society, Board Member-at-Large and Secretary of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Chair and member of countless committees and currently serves on TWS’ The Wildlife Professional Editorial Advisory Board. In 2009 Misty was awarded TWS’ Fellows Award and in 2018 she was awarded TCTWS’s Honorary Life Membership for Professional Achievements and Contributions to Wildlife Conservation.
Misty is a certified Huntmaster with the Texas Youth Hunting Program, a Texas Hunter Education Instructor, an official Boone and Crockett Scorer, and an EMT.
Joli’s passions have evolved from LE training and “education through enforcement” to introducing new audiences to conservation and natural resources recreation and appreciation through programs including Outdoor Journey for Girls and Becoming an Outdoors Woman. She also enjoys working with Iowa State University (ISU) in outdoor skills programming, Hunter Education, class presentations, and presenting for over two decades with the Program for Women in Science and Engineering.
Joli enjoys trailrunning, bicycling, and paddling with her partner and dogs. She finds great joy and deep value in bird hunting (especially behind her late, beloved springer, Abbey), firearm and bow hunting deer from a treestand, and sitting in the spring woods calling turkeys. She is excited to spend more time doing all of that--and CLfT!